History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

Organization of State Medical Society 45The members of the Society were invited by the Sisters of Mercy to visitMercy Hospital at a time convenient to the assembled physicians.Another year rolled past and still no Essay Award was made. Dr. Davisproposed that the sum of $50.00 be continued as a prize for the best essayon some medical subject to be presented during the coming year, and thatthe committee of three be continued to receive the material and make theaward.Not to be outdone by the gentleman from Chicago, Dr. J.M. Steele ofGrand View offered a prize of $20.00 for the best written practical dissertationon "The Uses of Opium in Inflammatory Disease," the contestants notto be over forty years of age.Contract practice was condemned. The nomenclature they used was "thehireling system," but the ultimate results were the same. Their resolutionstated "that the hireling system is not compatible with the true interests ofthe profession, and no member of this Society shall be allowed to hire hisservices by the month or year, to families or individuals."The delegates were instructed to consider seriously the resolution offeredby Dr. Stormont in relation to the hireling system; a committee was toreport at the next meeting on this problem.Dr. Noble of Independence, in his Presidential Address, struck the keynoteof the meeting, in reality, the keynote of all meetings through theyears: "Advancement is the order of the day, and no science, profession orbusiness can remain stationary, while all external influences point onwardand upward. . . . But, gentlemen, ours is not a science that disposes toinertia. A calm repose on laurels already won— the possession of truthselucidated by past observation and experience— the benefit of discoveries ofthe present and past ages—do not satisfy the genius of the Medical Profession.. . . The establishment of Medical Societies does, perhaps, more thanany one thing toward stimulating individuals to particular investigations,and at the same time gives an opportunity for each individual to reap thebenefit of every member's observation. Nothing can be better calculated todiffuse medical knowledge than an organization like ours, composed ofdelegates from local societies in different parts of this state, comprising inone body, men that have witnessed all forms of disease, each receiving thebenefit of another's experience and observation."1858 — RockfordOn the first day of this annual meeting, several resolutions were presentedto the House. The Permanent Secretary was instructed to preparea roll of members, and to have the transactions printed and mailed to allmembers in good standing "and to no other members."This year there was developed the pattern for the Annual Dinner and